Catching Up with Bishop Eaton

* As seen in the December 2024 edition of the Bagpiper. Written by Taylor Mattson ’25, Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Bagpiper.

Bishop Peter Eaton, the Episcopal Bishop of Southeast Florida, is more than a leader; he’s a thread woven into the fabric of Saint Andrew’s School. With a warm presence and unwavering commitment, he guides the school’s Episcopal identity, sharing in board meetings, chapel moments, and lively classroom visits. 

This fall, we had the opportunity to sit down with Bishop Eaton to learn more about his connection to the school, his role in shaping its Episcopal mission, and the values he hopes to inspire in the Saint Andrew’s community.

 

Q:  What is your relationship to Saint Andrew’s?

A: I'm the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida, overseeing a region with 75 congregations, 18 schools, and various ministries, spanning from Jensen Beach to Key West and as far west as Clewiston. I've served as bishop since 2015 and maintain a close relationship with Saint Andrew's, one of our independent Episcopal schools. 

As a board member, by virtue of my position, I support the school's Episcopal traditions, participate in board meetings, chapel, and classroom activities, and attend key events like the senior dinner, Baccalaureate, and graduation. My role is to ensure that all is well while offering guidance and support to the head of the school and chaplains in their vital work.

 

Q: Tell us a bit about your attire and how it’s different from some of the other people we see in the chapel. 

A: There are three kinds of ordained persons: deacons, like Deacon Faye Summers; priests, like Father Ben; and bishops, like me. Each has a slightly different 'uniform.' My clothes are mostly like Father Ben's, but I add 'bling'—a ring, a tall pointy hat, and a big stick. 

The ring symbolizes my relationship with the diocese, much like a wedding ring but representing a deep, permanent connection with the region. The miter, the funny pointy hat, represents the authority of the scriptures, with two halves symbolizing the Old and New Testaments. I also wear a medallion of Saint Andrew here to honor the saint after whom we're dedicated.

 

Q: What inspired you to become a bishop, and how did you get to this role?

A: When I was 14, I decided my life would be that of a priest. I became a bishop because others saw qualities in me they wanted in their bishop. I was living in Denver as a parish priest when I received a call suggesting I might be a good fit for Southeast Florida. During the process, I found myself fascinated by the diocese and felt I had something to offer, so I agreed. 

Out of five candidates, I was chosen, and it’s been a wonderful, surprising experience. One of the most gratifying parts is the work in our schools—places like Saint Andrew's, St. John’s in Homestead, Palmer Trinity, and St. Mark’s. These schools do remarkable work, and I love being a part of that.

 

Q: Tell us a bit about your own religious journey.

A: I was born into a relationship with the church as the son of a priest raised as a practicing Episcopalian. My religious journey started before I could even remember, absorbing values from my childhood parish and priest that still guide me today. 

We moved to Barbados during my teenage years, where my father taught at a seminary. Living on the seminary campus, I spent time with seminarians, who became role models, teaching me about mature Christianity. I never left the church, even in high school or college, finding my faith tradition expansive enough to grow with me. 

In university, I had a transformative chaplaincy experience, with one sermon still shaping my faith journey. My spiritual path has been a gradual, deepening exploration into the mysteries of human relationships, faith, and creation. Over the years, I’ve recognized that this isn’t just the right work for me, but the right life to live.

 

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I love cinema, theater, and music, and I enjoy going to concerts, though I don’t get much time for it. My wife and I like hiking and walking; when we lived in Colorado, we even snowshoed, though that’s no longer possible here. We also enjoy gathering with friends, traveling when possible, and relaxing with Netflix and Apple TV after long days. I recently watched Bad Monkey, based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel, and am hooked on Matlock with Kathy Bates. 

We also have six cats, five of whom are rescues. They’re more like family members than pets, bringing a bit of daily chaos and rhythm to our lives.

 

Click here to read more articles from the December 2024 edition of the Bagpiper.